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Cleaner jailed over driving test fraud

A cleaner who tried to get someone else to take his driving test for him has been jailed.

The plot was discovered when the impersonator was turned away from the test centre in Birmingham after staff became suspicious.

Investigators were waiting for the real Mpinga Mfumu when he later turned up to take the test himself, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

Father-of-two Mfumu, 27, of Lozells Road, Lozells, who had previously been found guilty of attempted fraud by false representation, was sentenced to six months in prison.

Patrick Sullivan, prosecuting, said the driving test system in the UK played a crucial role in safety on the roads.

Having a driving licence also had consequences concerned with getting credit facilities and obtaining benefits.

He said that, on June 30 last year, Mfumu had booked a theory test at a test centre in Worcester online, using his email.

“A man arrived at the test centre claiming he was the defendant,” said Mr Sullivan.

But checks were made because it was believed he was an impersonator. Photos were taken of him and the provisional licence he had presented.
The man was not allowed to take the test but Mfumu then booked another test in Birmingham for November 5.

“This time it was Mfumu himself who turned up, and they were there waiting for him,” said Mr Sullivan. Mfumu protested his innocence at the time.

Credit: PA.

When showed a picture of the man who had previously attended, he said it was his “brother” but would not name the individual.
Rupert Jones, defending, said:

“He drove before coming to the UK in 2006. This was an unsophisticated at-tempt to get around the theory aspect.
This was not, for example, someone operating a business. Having failed, he tried to take the test himself.”

– Rupert Jones, defending.

Judge Francis Laird said:

“The importance of maintaining the integrity of the driving test system is obvious to all.
It is vital that those who take vehicles on the road are competent to do so, and that their competence has been properly tested by an independent examiner.
The consequences of people obtaining driving licences without being scrutinised is very important, and it is for that reason that the courts rightly consider this to be serious.”